The Responsibility Project^®. Exploring what it means to do the right thing

My Goodness: Trying to Volunteer

110 Comments

July 15, 2010 by Constance Casey for Slate.com

Dear My Goodness,
I'm a twentysomething legal assistant who was very involved in charity organizations in college. I'd like to volunteer one evening a week, but I'm getting discouraged because some version of the following keeps happening. The organization gets back to me and asks whether I'll send my available dates and times to set up an interview. I do so immediately but don't hear back from them for weeks. Then someone from the charity e-mails with "thanks for your patience." We set up a time for a phone interview, and they don't call.

Dear Amy,
My Goodness has received dozens of letters like yours. Sometimes the letter writers have advanced to getting an assignment but ended up feeling underused and underappreciated.

Here is the most crucial piece of advice: Once you've identified a charity you care about with projects that fit your schedule and location, find out whether they have a paid staffer whose sole duty is "volunteer coordinator." There's a certain irony here—that it takes a paid person to deal efficiently with people who want to work for free and out of the goodness of their hearts.

There are places, religious congregations notable among them, that handle volunteers well without a paid supervisor. But you greatly increase your chances of a good experience by dealing with a full-time staffer who can provide organization and continuity, and who has a gift for matching a volunteer's skills and desires with appropriate work.

Volunteering seems like such an angelic act; there's a tendency to forget that to make the deal work, you're going to need to be practical and assertive. So to make sure you don't get overlooked again, contact the volunteer coordinator and make an appointment to get yourself over to the actual building and meet him or her in person. At that meeting, set up a schedule for your next contact or assignment, rather than relying on them to call you.

Almost every big city has a clearinghouse where volunteers can find interesting work with vetted charities. Where you live, Greater DC Cares maintains a database of ongoing volunteer projects that is easy to browse. A quick search found a few interesting jobs, including one responding to letters from prisoners requesting books. Sure, the postage aspect would be tedious, but it'd be fascinating with your background in law to find out what prisoners are thinking about. (Legal help? Travel?) Greater DC Cares can also train you to lead a project—excellent to list on your résumé or a law-school application.

The paid volunteer managers I spoke to this week told me there's a definite trend in volunteer recruitment—to identify and use efficiently people with particularly valuable skills. A certified public accountant, for example, might be encouraged to help in the finance department rather than clean a beach. (Though he or she might prefer to be out on the sand.) You may be gratified to learn how useful and appreciated your legal office experience is.

I understand your initial frustration at not being signed up promptly when the volunteering spirit struck you. However, Amy, do take a look at things from the charity's point of view—how hard it is to screen potential workers (no child abusers to the day care center) and move the approved ones in a timely fashion to an appropriate spot. It's also difficult coming up with truly useful projects, and the requisite tools, for workers who are not guaranteed to show up. (Common occurrence: 100 paintbrushes, 100 gallons of paint; 70 out of the promised 100 painters don't materialize.) Obviously charities are always trying to figure out the best volunteer systems. There are several current books about volunteer needs, including, no kidding, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Recruiting and Managing Volunteers.

Charities using volunteers often also have to deal with an unfortunate volunteer mind-set. Nonprofit expert Peter Frumkin, professor at the University of Texas School of Public Affairs, says this is commonly known in nonprofit circles as "the ladle syndrome." It's a reference to the people who show up at Thanksgiving and Christmas hoping to fill soup bowls. "They want the psychic satisfaction of being on the front line in a good spot," said Frumkin, co-author of Serving Country and Community: Who Benefits From National Service? At Habitat for Humanity, he noted, everyone wants to be swinging a hammer à la Jimmy Carter on the carpentry crew. (But few want to do site cleanup.)

From the volunteers' point of view, their hours appear to be a lovely gift—and indeed they are. Volunteer help, though, is not really free labor for the organizations; they need to invest in management so they don't waste that time. It's certainly not too much to ask that they set up a system by which they manage to call you when they say they're going to. It's also not too much to ask that you do some investigating to find a place with its act together and then to get yourself in the door.

—Constance

Do you have a real-life do-gooding dilemma? Please send it to ask.my.goodness@gmail.com.

110 Comments

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• September 2, 2010 by Corrine Granger

  I can relate to the letter Where no one get back in touch with you. I.m a Healthcare Software Implementation Consultant I been going this for 15 + years. I know Computers. I travel a lot when I am not traveling I work from home. I find myself with to much time and I have sent letters and called several places looking for volunteer work of any kind. I am a Christian but would never dream of push my believe on others. I live in Mobile,Alabama. Just need to keep busy..

  Thanks Corrine,

  Reply

  • September 26, 2010 by leah m phillips

    i would like to put in for2-3days for about 4-5 hrs.i worked at miriam for 11yrs and my husband passed so i am on ssdi.i have pkenty of time.i have transcribed dr.sorders,but they were changing all computer softwear,filing for bld.atbld.bank,help repositioning patient,answering phones,ordering supplies such as paper work for dr's,rn's,ect...scheduling appointmenys for patients to go to their test,ultrasound,thallium,stress,x-rays,edo,colon,medical technology,putting in for there breakf,lunch,dinners and make sure that those were received,paging dr's,resp, who ever they needed to have i did .i was a good helper amd you would not be disappointed.

    unit secretary for

    miriam hospital

    Reply

  • May 4, 2011 by Marie Crowder

    I would like to volunteer work in medical recordes or be a candy striper, I am finishing one year of college. I'am major in Healthcare so I would like to get some experience the field as a billing & coding.I would appreciate the opportunity to volunteer for one these position.

    Reply

• September 2, 2010 by Pauline kpannah

  i really want to do this, i love to help others and i know this is the best.

  Reply

  • October 5, 2010 by john Camry

    pls send me any kind of list of local charities that need volunteers thank you

    Reply

    • November 11, 2010 by Ruby J. Walton

      I have recently moved to San Francisco near Mission. I would like to do some volunteer work near my home as I don't have a car. Would appreciate if you would get back to me. Thank you

    • July 27, 2011 by Jeanie Ott

      I am really looking for some type of volunteering in my community to feel good about myself by helping other people in doing things. I live in the Albany New York and I would really like the help of finding something to do. I work a full-time job but I need something in the evenings and weekends. Please help - Thanks Jeanei

  • January 12, 2011 by Veronica McClain

    I am with a grope of 7,and we would like to do some voluteer work,in a soup kinchen,for earthday,foodbank,working with the youth, carft work,giving out food,working with alders,and mush more,could U send me a list,in Pittsburgh,Pa.Please. Thank you! :-)

    Reply

    • January 14, 2011 by concepcion

      send me information my son and i would like to work in the soup kitchen or food bank in corpus christy area

• September 3, 2010 by Jim J Rogers

  I always wainted to help out on the hioways and byways where evre I could and do the ringht thing when given the chances to .But I realy help poeple out on the hi way when I could and help out the Washingtion State Patrol when ever I could and always be ready to be there the state troper if needed to be .

  Reply

• September 3, 2010 by Marie m Hunter

  I always wanted to help where i could do things.when giving the chances to, But i realy want to help poeple from Africa ,by training yong mother who are in need to feed and take good care of their kids.please i need your advise and help,comments . Thank you.

  Reply

• September 3, 2010 by Janet McLaughlin

  I am looking to volunteer as a literacy volunteer in Havelock, NC. for adults or near- adults. Many years ago I did teach English as a second language at a community college in Enfield, Ct. (probably late 70's). Between the 70s and 2006, I got my degree in Occuaptional Therapy and worked in a State instution for the mentally ill for many years. I have worked with adults all of my life. As I am retired now and until recently was living with my daughter-in-law and my grandchildren until as was the plan, they moved out on their own. I am living in Havelock, NC which is a military town and very near a Marine Corp base. There are many immigrants who marry Marine Corp members and no doubt in need of English as a second language or those who would like to further their education yet do not have the necessary standard English skills necessary to go on to school. Is there a program here or can I start one.

  Reply

• September 4, 2010 by nadia

  it is my pleasure to help people and work free for my comunity i would like to be a volunteer around augusta,ga not so far from my home

  Reply

• September 7, 2010 by JUDY

  BECAUSE OF HEALTH PROBLEMS I CAN NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. I'M HAVING DIFFICULTY FINDING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES I CAN DO FROM HOME. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

  Reply

  • September 14, 2010 by Holly

    I am looking for any volunteer work

    Reply

    • March 11, 2011 by Bina Hemani

      Hello Sir, I am looking for volunteer work in senior center near UTD or Ericson. I am staying near their. I am looking forward to hearing back from you. Regards,. Bina.

    • May 12, 2011 by Henry

      I AM LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER WORK OF ANY KIND.I RECENTLY RETIRED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT ME.THEY GAVE ME NOTHING TO DO SO I WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. I WOULD PREFER VOLUNTEER WORK THEN WHAT I WAS DOING.

  • September 15, 2010 by Hilary

    I was just reading about an opportunity to make daily phone calls to the elderly OR weekly home visits. This was for the Charlotte County FL area. Perhaps you can find something similar around you.

    http://volunteer.truist.com/vocc/org/opp/10249167197.html

    Reply

• September 7, 2010 by dan crouse

  just a guy with a heart and would like to help in any way i can anyone in need or hurting...im in the connellsville pa. area

  Reply

• September 10, 2010 by Nadirah Amatulla Freeland

  I have compassion for other peoples emotional pain would like to be there voice to speakup for the human rights of others.and also I love to help with taking the burdens off other peoples.I love to spread love anywhere that its needed,with kindness,compassion, and empathetic according to the needs of others.

  Reply

  • May 23, 2011 by cassandra lynn buckingham

    I think that your words are beautiful and your heart as well. I can identify with you. It is through our painful experiences that we are able to show compassion for other's. May you always keep your faith and hope alive in a world that is in need of your many attributes. I have been browsing the American Red Cross site and somehow I came across your beautiful words. I want to say thank you because you have lifted my spirit.May your day be blessed and love light your path.

    Reply

• September 10, 2010 by Brenda Raymond

  I have been trying to find how to volunteer for toys for tots or something to help give to children. . I know at christmas they always have places where I can be of help .. I need it to be around or close to Plant city florida, any sugestions? ty

  Reply

  • October 13, 2010 by Karen Kiefer

    Brenda

    In my area many of the local fire departments help with toys for tots call around in your area. I am amazed at all of these posts reading the compassion and the depth of love for one another, this burning desire to touch another persons life is beautiful.

    thank you

    Reply

• September 15, 2010 by ajayla dean

  i feel yall i want to volunteer but i dont know what to do yet!!!!!!!!

  Reply

  • November 23, 2010 by David

    I am with you. I'm in your shoe's. I want to HELP, however I DO NOT trust most local organizarion's. As a matter of fact, I live in Jacksonville, Fl and just did a search of Food pantries in the are and there are very few. Which is sad for the size of this city. I, like YOU, want to help a legitimate organization. I am sick of being ripped off, but at the same time, want to help those that TRULY need HELP. I see the ad's of kid's not eating daily. I SWEAR, that if I had the name/address of anyone of these kid's, IF I could, they would NEVER go hungry again. It sadden's me, tha we send SO much help to everyone else and to still read that we have Hingry kid's here. Look, I grew up eating every 3-4 day's myself. If not for friend's and neighbor's that I assume had NO idea of my situation, I would NOT be here today. God Bless America, God Bless our Kid's. I want to help. However, I do NOT want to be scammed.

    Reply

    • May 4, 2011 by Elvis

      please it is hurting to know that when people who work so hard for their money end up being scam in the name of help, but i need u to understand that there are kids in Africa who go on for like four days and even more without food. when i say food i am not referring to decent food i mean anything to stop acid from eating up the stomach walls. so please there are reliable organizations i have traveled to and have seen children suffering contact them and u will confirm for urself

• September 17, 2010 by Elecia Kaufman

  i want to volunteer to help our boys that came back from Iraq.

  Reply

  • September 20, 2010 by Mary E

    I am actually a friend of a soldier who is in Afganistan and is scheduled to come home in October. His wife and mother of 6 has been doing her best to keep up with their home and vehicle as well as raise the children while he has been away this year. Although the children are doing great, lifes unexpected moments have gotten in the way and she has a broken dryer, broken dishwasher, overheating car, and pipes falling apart among other smaller honey-do's. I am in desperate need of volunteer handy-man services in the Phoenix, AZ area. I pray that my husband and I can come up with the resources to help this family of heroes! And be able to do it quickly before he gets home. He has had enough on his plate and our country should be able to take care of his home and family while he is away taking care of our country. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

    Reply

    • September 22, 2010 by Ruzan Sahakyan

      I want to work as a volunteer, but I don't know in which sotial organisation I shold work!

    • November 23, 2010 by Dave

      Hi, I am a retired/Disabled vet (US Army). please let me know what I can help with!!! I cannot guarantee anything but will help with whatever I can for this family. Good Luck and God Bless David

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